Looking unto Jesus a view of the everlasting gospel, or, the souls eying of…

3. True mortification is not without its present combats, though at last it conquer; many a time corruption may break out, and lust may be strong and violent; but th•s violent lust is only for the present, whereas a lust unmortified ever reigneth. It is with sin in a Believer, as it is with a man that hath received his deadly wound from his enemy; he will not presently fly away, but rather he will run more violently upon him that hath wounded him; yet, be he never so violent, in the middle of his action he sinks down, because he hath received his deadly wound; so it is with a Believer's sin, and with a mortified lust; it may rage in the heart, and seem to bear sway for a time; but the power and strength of sin is mortified, it sinks down, and wants ability to prevail; by this sign may we know whether the corruptions and stirrings of our hearts proceed from a mortified, or from an unmortified lust; a lust, though mortified, may rage for a time, but it cannot rule; it may strive, but it cannot totally prevail; it may be in the heart, as a thief in the house, not to reside or dwell, but to lodge for a night, and be gone: And (that which is ever to be observed) after its swing and breaking out, the heart that lodged it, abhors its self in dust and ashes, cries mightily unto God for mercy and pardon, repairs the breach with stronger resolution, and more invincible watchfulness against future assaults; but a Lust unmortified possesseth it self, and rules and reigns in the heart and soul; it abides there, and will not away: I shall not deny, but there may be a cessation of its actings for a time; but that is not any want of good will, as they say, but only of matter, means, opportunity, enticement, company, provocation, or the like; and after such cessation or forbearance, the heart usually entertains it again with more greediness; it lies and delights in it as much as ever, it hardens it self most obstinately in it, as if it were impossible to leave it, or live without it with any kind of comfort.

3. True mortification is not without its present combats, though at last it conquer; many a time corruption may break out, and lust may be strong and violent; but th•s violent lust is only for the present, whereas a lust unmortified ever reigneth. It is with sin in a Believer, as it is with a man that hath received his deadly wound from his enemy; he will not presently flie away, but rather he will run more violently upon him that hath wounded him; yet, be he never so violent, in the middle of his action he sinks down, because he hath received his deadly wound; so it is with a Believer's sin, and with a mortified lust; it may rage in the heart, and seem to bear sway for a time; but the power and strength of sin is mortified, it sinks down, and wants ability to prevail; by this sign may we know whether the corruptions and stirrings of our hearts proceed from a mortified, or from an unmortified lust; a lust, though mortified, may rage for a time, but it cannot rule; it may strive, but it cannot totally prevail; it may be in the heart, as a thief in the house, not to reside or dwell, but to lodge for a night, and be gone: And (that which is ever to be observed) after its swinge and breaking out, the heart that lodged it, abhors its self in dust and ashes, cries mightily unto God for mercy and pardon, repairs the breach with stronger resolution, and more invincible watchfulness against future assaults; but a Lust unmortified possesseth it self, and rules and reigns in the heart and soul; it abides there, and will not away: I shall not deny, but there may be a cessation of its actings for a time; but that is not any want of good will, as they say, but only of matter, means, opportunity, enticement, company, provocation, or the like; and after such cessation or forbearance, the heart usually entertains it again with more greediness; it lies and delights in it as much as ever, it hardens it self most obstinately in it, as if it were impossible to leave it, or live without it with any kind of comfort.